The siren was Lamar Ridgeway, Nation County sheriff, and my boss for more than fifteen years. He was a good sheriff, dedicated, and tireless. He was also the only other one working today, and had come all the way from Maitland. It’s a big county we live in. People don’t seem to realize just how big. Or how few of us there are. Nation County is about half the size of Rhode Island. Now, that’s not exactly huge, I admit. But there are usually two or three cops out, at the most. Seven hundred fifty square miles is a big area.

‘‘Three or Four, can you copy me now…?’’ Lamar’s voice has a raspy quality to it, unmistakable. I picked up my walkie-talkie.

‘‘We copy, One,’’ I answered him.

‘‘Where ya at?’’

The question of the hour. I looked over at Johansen. ‘‘Did you brief One as to how to get up here?’’

‘‘Yeah,’’ he said. ‘‘We showed him the aerial photos.’’

I held my walkie-talkie to my lips. ‘‘One, Three. Up the trail. Wait, if you can, for some more backup, before you come up. We might have shooters in the area.’’ I knew he wouldn’t, any more than I had. I just had to say it.

‘‘Yeah, ten-four… What’s goin’ on up there? Somebody shot?’’

‘‘Yeah,’’ I answered. I turned my head to look at Johansen, who was getting a dazed look about him.

I brought the walkie-talkie back up. ‘‘688 is down.’’

‘‘Need an ambulance?’’ asked Lamar, hopefully.

‘‘Negative,’’ I said. ‘‘Medical examiner.’’

‘‘Ten-four.’’

I looked at Johansen. ‘‘You able to wait for a bit more?’’

‘‘Yeah.’’

‘‘We’re fine here right now, One,’’ I said to Lamar. I hoped I was telling the truth. But I sure didn’t want Lamar charging up to the rescue and getting blown away for his trouble. ‘‘But let us know when you start up the trail. We’re about a hundred fifty yards up, and just kind of off the trail to the right. We won’t be able to see you until you’re right on us…’’ I glanced at Johansen. I knew about that hazard, all right.